Windows Server 2022: 8 new features you should know about

Microsoft announced a new version of Windows Server 2021 for September 2021. Since then, many people and forums have speculated about the improvements and new features of Windows Server 2022. Today we tell you all about it.

Windows Server 2022 is the most secure, reliable and Azure-compatible server Microsoft has developed in the 20th century.

Considering the increasing security threats (see research data below) and cyber-attacks, Windows Server 2022 is equipped with top-notch security parameters that we discuss in the following sub-sections to ensure cluster-level data package security. It is a comprehensive security package that protects the entire IT infrastructure.
Windows Server 2022 will help businesses of all types run their workloads securely, enable hybrid cloud integration and update their applications to meet demanding IT requirements.

Background

A recent IBM study from 2021 found that more than 500 data breaches cost €4.24 million worldwide - the highest figure in 17 years.

With increasing security threats and cyber attacks, data protection is of utmost importance for all types of businesses. Windows Server 2022 plays a crucial role in today's scenario as it includes advanced security features with secure server cores, secure connectivity and much more, which are explained in the following sections.
We will also discuss the technical advancement of Windows Server 2022 and how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises can benefit from this innovative and robust Windows Server platform.

Different versions of Windows Server 2022

According to Microsoft's resources, Windows Server 2022 has three main versions: Essentials, Standard and Data Center, with another version to be introduced later: Azure Datacenter Edition.

Let's look at the exact technical differences between these editions, Windows Server 2022 Edition Comparison.

All versions of Windows Server 2022 offer the option to install both the server kernel and the desktop version. The desktop version is installed for remote desktop sessions hosted with non-server services and other components.

The server version is installed for specific roles and functions, e.g. DNS server, web server, Active Directory, virtualisation, etc.
Although there are many variations in all versions, in this section we will look at the main differences between the server editions of Windows 2022:

Windows Server 2022 Standard

The Standard Edition is the basic version of Windows Server 2022. The single licence of the Standard Edition can only work with two virtual machines and one Hyper-V host.

The replica storage option is available with one allocation and one resource pool with a capacity of 2 terabytes. Functions such as hot patching, software-defined networks and storage are not available in the standard version.

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter

This version has Elite features that are not included in the standard edition, such as protected virtual machines. This feature protects the firmware and boot files of the virtual machine and also enables BitLocker hard disk encryption.

Because data protection and data management are critical to the enterprise infrastructure, Microsoft integrates two key capabilities with Storage Spaces Direct: Software-defined storage and storage replication.

Storage replication provides block-level data replication without data loss and even replicates open files. Software-defined storage with Storage Spaces Direct enables management and scalability - supporting up to 16 servers and up to 1 petabyte of clustered storage.

You can read more about Windows Server 2022 Datacenter and buy the licence here

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Edition-Azure

As the name suggests, it is designed for the Microsoft Azure platform. It offers great features that are not available in the Standard Edition or Datacenter Edition. For example, the hot patch feature allows you to install updates without having to restart the server, and the blocking of server messages via QUIC allows you to access shared files without a VPN over the network.

Windows 2022 Azure Edition runs virtual machines on the Azure Stack Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) operating system, known for its security, performance and new hybrid features.

Windows Server 2022 Essentials

It is designed for small organisations with a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices. It lacks features such as a control panel, client backup and access from anywhere. It supports processors with up to 10 cores.

To find out more about Windows Server 2022 Essentials and to purchase a licence, you can view it here.

Hardware requirements for Windows Server 2022

At the time, Microsoft specified the minimum hardware requirements for the servers to function satisfactorily. If the minimum requirements are not met, the installation will most likely not complete.

The main requirements are:
Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit, 64-bit compatible.
RAM (memory): 512 MB and 2 GB for servers with the option to install Desktop Experience.
Network: NIC card with a minimum bandwidth of 1 GBHDARD DISK
: 32 GB

Let's now take a look at the 8 most important features of the increasingly popular Windows Server 2022:

1) Hardware improvements

One of the most important improvements in Windows 2022 is that the server's hardware limitations have been extended to the highest level. Server 2022 supports 48 terabytes of memory and 2,048 logical cores running on 64 physical sockets.
It also supports Intel's Ice Lake SGX processor, which isolates sensitive data during processing in an encrypted processor enclave.

2) Storage improvements

Storage innovation is one of the most important enhancements in Windows Servers 2022. Day-to-day management of data has become a problem for data engineers. In these cases, memory enhancements are built into the 2022 servers, including:>
• Improved caching: Automatically stores important data on faster storage volumes and less important data on slower volumes. This enables faster access when reading and writing.
• Faster, more manageable storage upgrades: In the event of server reboots or hardware failures, hard drives are repaired faster.
• ReFS file snapshots: ReFS snapshots use a unique method known as fast metadata operations to create snapshots of data at a constant point in time, regardless of size.

3) Updating the security measures

Microsoft will never stop innovating its security practices as threats evolve with technology. Windows Server 2022 offers three key security enhancements, including hardware trust, firmware protection and virtual environment security, as the cloud is the second most widely used platform.
Key enhancements include support for secure DNS with DNS-over-HTTPS, Server Message Block AES-256 and SMB East-West encryption, SMB over QUIC, HTTPS and TLS 1.3, Azure Arc and Azure Automanage.

These protocols and security enhancements ensure that Windows Server 2022 is self-sufficient when processing sensitive data and critical applications. The entire server core is protected at the hardware, firmware and driver levels to prevent today's complex attacks.

• Prevention of firmware attacks: Threats and advanced attacks occur when servers are rebooted via firmware. To prevent these cyber attacks, technologies such as DRTM (Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement) and DMA (Direct Memory Access) are used.
• Hypervisor security: The hypervisor is protected by virtualisation-based security technology (VBS). This technology isolates individual processes from the operating system. In the event of an attack, it does not spread to other parts of the system and prevents the entire server from being affected.
• Secure connectivity: By default, the latest version of the Internet protocol, Transport Layer Security (TLS), is used to establish a secure connection between two nodes. Even name resolution is separated by encrypted DNS requests.
• Server Message Block (SMB): The new SMB functionality via QUIC eliminates the need for a VPN for remote workers, mobile users and high-security organisations. It uses UDP (Use Datagram Protocol) and ensures that internet traffic always remains encrypted.

4) Improved application platform

Windows Server 2022 provides a flexible platform for upgrading container applications. Server 2022 supports large business-critical applications such as SQL Server that require 48 terabytes of storage.

Windows Server 2022 loads 30% faster than previous operating systems due to the smaller size of the Windows container. For the storage of .NET applications, the tools of the Windows Management Center have also been updated.

5) Expanding the capabilities of Azure

Microsoft Azure capabilities have been extended in Window 2022 to support virtualisation outside the network or even from third parties. Azure Arc-enabled servers provide a complete and secure approach to integration anywhere in on-premises, multi-cloud and edge environments.
To learn more about how Azure Arc-enabled servers can be used to provide Azure monitoring, security and update services in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, watch the video below:

6) Effortless cloud management

One of the key features of the Azure version of Windows 2022 is the management and automation of the cloud using common security methods, including the following:
• Reduce the cost of automating the management of Windows Server and Linux virtual machines.
• Ability to make security corrections without having to restart the server.
• Automatic detection of availability and use of resources after commissioning and automatic updating of data.
• Automate time and management processes such as Azure monitoring and archiving. Migrate data from on-premises to Azure while retaining the original IP address.

7) Improvements to the network

There are two main protocols for all network communication: the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Microsoft has significantly improved these protocols in Windows Server 2022.
• UDP: UDP Segmentation Offloading (USO) and UDP Receive Side Coalescing (UDP RSC) are included in Windows 2022 servers and reduce CPU load.
• TCP: TCP HyStart++ on Windows 2022 servers helps reduce packet loss during connection setup and RACK to reduce retransmission time.
• Virtual switch upgrade: Upgrading the virtual switch improves the performance of both network traffic from an external host and from a virtual NIC to another virtual NIC on the same host.
• FAST: This function is interesting for IT experts as it allows copying files remotely without VPN via an extended SMB (Message Block Server).

8) Deleted functions

Because not everything is new: with each new version of Windows Server, Microsoft makes improvements and enhancements, while old functions are discontinued.
In this section we will look at features that are no longer offered in Windows 2022 Server, including:
• Semi-annual channel (SAC): The SAC channel will be abolished and replaced by a longer-term channel as the main release channel. SAC will continue with Kubernetes communities such as Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS), Azure Stack HCI AKS.

• Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) Server: This server has been removed from the Windows 2022 Server.
• Guarded Fabric and Shielded Virtual Machines (VMs): Microsoft supports them, but there will be no further development.
• Remote Server Administration Tool (RSAT): This function is removed from the Windows client version.
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS): The deployment functions of the WDS operating system are partially removed.

Comparison between Windows Server 2019 and 2022
Microsoft released Windows Server 2022 in September 2021 with several improvements over Server 2019 (released in October 2018). Windows Server 2022 is more secure, flexible and supports hybrid deployments better than 2019.

The following section lists the three main differences in terms of security, cloud and connectivity:

• In terms of security services, Defender Advanced Threat Protection, Exploit Guard and Attack Surface Reduction are available in Windows Server 2019. In Windows 2022, Layered Security provides enhanced security in terms of cryptographic keys, firmware protection and virtualisation environment security.
• On the connectivity side, Windows 2022 introduces Transport Layer 1.3 security, Secure DNS, Server Message Block (SMB) and SMB over QUIC. Software-defined network (SDN) security was present in 2019.
• It is impossible to imagine today's computing infrastructure without the cloud. With an eye on the future roadmap, Microsoft introduced a hybrid cloud service in Windows 2019 that offers support for the most important server applications. In Windows 2022, Microsoft went one step further and integrated Azure Arc technology. With this technology, multiple clouds can be managed via a central Azure console.

Conclusion

With the introduction of Microsoft Windows Server 2022, companies can run their business on a secure infrastructure, integrate their existing virtual environments into their hybrid cloud models and restructure their applications to meet demanding growth.
Small organisations or educational institutions in particular can opt for the Windows 2022 Essential Edition, which supports up to 25 users.
If you are looking for a local solution and very low virtual involvement, you can use the Standard edition.
If you have a large enterprise-class virtual deployment or plan to scale in your cloud or data centre, Windows 2022 Datacenter or Azure Data Edition with advanced security and management features is the right choice for you.
Yours sincerely,
Your Licendi Team